Perhaps if Ryanairs business model was focused on winning customers hearts & wallets rather than driving other competiors out of the airport it operate from this wouldn't be an issue, clearly Ryanair threat of targeted airport/route closures over the dead period between the end of Nov and early December is not fooling airport management, Ryanairs business model is falling apart

I can't say I agree.
Let's not get all Shannon/Heathrow about these axed routes.
Ryanair (and any airline for that matter) can axe any route they want, even if the justifications are false, stupid or misleading.

I should focus more on pressuring the Cork Airport Authority to replace/get routes rather than on Ryanair to change their plans.

I'm sure the CAA are highlightly to bmibaby, flybe and the likes that the Glasgow and East Midlands markets are strong and qualifying for the Route Support Scheme. That they are badgering Wizzair to start Budapest and that they are constantly harassing SAS, Lufthansa, Air Baltic to start a much needed hub service via Copenhagen, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Riga or wherever.

Oh, yes, Charley Roy, I am sure that you are right. I would plant potatoes at Cork Airport before I would go and plead with the likes of Ryanair to reinstate the two dropped routes but that is not up to me now, is it!

The plain people of Cork can judge for themselves now on how they feel about Ryanair. They have a choice.

Seems like EMA would be a great opportunity for Aer Arann. They would have the route for themselves using an aircraft more suitable to the route.
Ditto for Glasgow..

New route ORK/PIK operator RE

Prestwick with Aer Arann
 

This is great news :ok:

If Ryanair ever do try to come back on this route now they'll have to pay 100% charges, while Aer Arann have secured reduced charges for 5 years under the route support scheme :E

A week ago there was much comment on FR's exaggerated maths on the implications for Cork of ending the two routes.
Their QED is a bit more off now thanks to RE.

RE had also rationalised their winter route network for Cork around a two based plane operation with supplementary Dublin flights operated by their Dublin aircraft. With the new PIK flight originating in Cork, it will be interesting to see how they rejig the schedule now and if that results in any other extra sectors being added. A Saturday am flight to either PIK or EDI could always become an option going forward.

RE
 

Although on the down side RE have scrapped the Cork-Galway route.

Pity as it was the only non Dublin domestic route.

Also they appear to be operating a daily Waterford-AMS service throughout the winter which will give ORK some competition on this route.

With the Colleges of Technology and universities in both Cork and Galway returning for the start of the academic year you would think that an Aer Arann service between Cork & Galway on Fridays, Sundays & Mondays would have been fairly viable along with whatever weekend/holiday traffic that had been created. Quite sad to have lost Cork & Galway's only non Dublin domestic route even more so considering the last flight from Cork last week had a load of 50 pax.

It is great news that Aer Arann are to nip in and seize the opportunity with Prestwick and it will be a relief to all parties voicing their concerns about the dropping of the route by Ryanair. Looks like RE will have Scotland's two great main cities all tied up for a bit. Ryanair had to go spoil it for themselves with Prestwick with their dog in the manger behaviour - they have only themselves to blame for looking over their shoulders back in the direction of snn rather than encourage what was clearly a growing route between Cork and Prestwick.

Ryanair's loss - Aer Arann abu!

Great news for Cork & Aer Arann! Lets hope they'll add EMA to their Glasgow route:D
A little disappointing though about the Galway route but in reality there are only 2 other cities in Ireland, Dublin and Belfast with populations to support a regular service from Cork. After all, even the Dublin-Galway service is PSO funded.

Aer Arann Cork-Prestwick
 

Well done Aer Arann for coming to the rescue. This just proves their dedication to Cork. Aer Arann have stayed with Cork during the good and bad times. This really is an own goal for Ryanair. They spent a year developing the route and now they've just handed it to Aer Arann on a plate. I'm sure Aer Arann will do brilliantly on the route. I've looked at the Aer Arann website and they already have fares on the route from 3 cent plus tax. When you consider that baggage is free with Aer Arann and you don't have to pay any check in charges, Aer Arann could actually prove cheaper than Ryanair on the route. Aer Arann have also come to the rescue of Knock airport by restarting Knock-Dublin from October. Lets hope Aer Arann remains on the Irish aviation scene for many years to come.

Heard that Aer Arann were set to start ORK PIK in Oct 2007 once 12 months had elapsed following Loganairs withdrawal in 2006. This would have given them zero charges etc. However Ryanair surprised everyone when they applied for EMA and PIK last September.

Great to see RE reacting so quickly. It makes the the Ryanair Press Conference in Cork last week sound like a silly stunt particularly as opinion in Cork is very negative towards the airline.

The Cork Airport Authority has for perhaps the first time since 2005 got the support of the media, local politicians and the general public in their determination not to be pushed around by Ryanair.

You'd wonder if it would have happened if Gantly was still around ?

....

Ryanair have not ended operations on the route yet. Do not think they wont react to recent developments. ;) :D

Ork Ema
 

Cork Airport Marketing Director Kevin Cullinane has said on local radio that the airport are actively seeking a replacement carrier on ORK EMA.

A factor in closing Cork-Galway may be that the Ennis-Galway railway line is scheduled to reopen next year. Although it will still take about three hours to get to Galway from Cork (disgraceful for a 200km journey), it would impact on the number of air passengers in a way the bus never could (especially when the bus manages to take 4 1/2 hours :mad:).

They might react CorkEICK, but they will have to pay 100% charges at EICK if they decide to stay on the route.

Thanks to the Ennis bypass Galway is now only 2 1/2 hours from Cork. I reckon this will impact the flight more than the train, especially as there'll be no direct service from Cork.

and don't forget the Shannon tunnel which will bypass Limerick City in the near future!